CREWE Alexandra will move swiftly to replace goalkeeper Ben Garratt as they look to wrap up League One safety.

The 20-year-old has been a key player for the Railwaymen but will miss the rest of the season after suffering a broken leg during last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Barnsley.

New recruit Paul Rachubka replaced Garratt at Oakwell but endured a nightmare debut, punching into his own net for the Tykes’ second goal.

“It’s another set-back for us,” said boss Steve Davis.

“It’s really disappointing that it’s as serious as it is and I say serious in the fact it’s a broken bone, because it could have been worse.

“It’s a displacement, it’s a straight forward fracture so the bone hasn’t been moved in any way.

“It’s still in one straight line and should heal nicely.

“But it’s a real blow for him personally and a blow for us because he’s improved no end .

“He’s been a key player for us.

“Ben’s a great level headed lad, works hard and never complains so I’m sure he’ll recover from this and carry on from where he left off when he’s back fit.”

Davis says he will now have to juggle resources after targeting further reinforcements before the March loan deadline.

“We probably need three before the deadline but I’m not sure there is enough room in the budget,” he added.

“We’ll have to prioritise.

“A goalkeeper is more of a key position.

"But I still think we could add a bit more competition to the team.

“We have to be a bit choosier now at this stage of the season on what we bring in.”

Back-to-back league defeats have left Crewe looking over their shoulders again – now five points clear of the drop zone.

They entertain third-placed Swindon Town on Saturday before a midweek trip to Rochdale.

“Whether some have got carried away with the great run we had, I don’t know,” continued Davis.

“We’d done the easy part which was to get out of the bottom four, the hard work is to stay out of it.

“I think that performance and the result at Barnsley should be a kick up the backside and hopefully they will respond to that.”

Davis hailed the club's Academy after the under 18s beat their Arsenal counterparts 3-2 to set up on Monday an FA Youth Cup quarter-final clash at heavyweights Manchester City.

“They have done brilliantly,” he said.

“Arsenal spend millions on their Academy and buy players.

“The majority of ours come from down the road so it’s a fantastic achievement.

“The priority remains for us to produce players that turn out to be good enough to get into our first-team at some stage.”